The Bodysnatchers

CHAPTER 8: Escape to Danger

Martha tried to scream, but was silenced by a fierce “Shhhh---!” She gasped with relief. It was the Doctor. “Don’t move.” He whispered in her ear. They looked on, seeing that the tall man hesitated, as if hearing some voice inside his head. “Yes master,” he hissed, “it shall be as you command.” Martha felt the Doctor’s hand squeeze her shoulder reassuringly. The tall man looked directly at the trees where the two were hiding, and smiled hideously. The peculiar green cloud began to form again. The Doctor whispered one more word in Martha’s ear: “Run!” she thought, “Make up your mind, Doctor!” Just before she lit out after him, as he sprinted back towards the chapel.

As he ran, he slipped into his coat, checking his pockets in the process. The Doctor gave an inward sigh of relief when he found his sonic screwdriver. He paused outside the chapel door and looked around. “No one seems to be about. That’s good.” Martha stared at him. “Well there wouldn’t exactly be a crowd of people in a cemetery, would there be?” The Doctor said absently, “Oh, I dunno’. Lots of people hang about in cemeteries.” Martha looked at him askance, as he used the sonic screwdriver to unlock the door. “Like who?” Giving a lame shrug he bent over the lock and said, “I dunno’, lots of people. Old people visiting, people looking on a quiet stroll, young lovers"--he briefly paused, turning to give her a mischievous wink, "people on picnics…." Martha couldn't help but smile at him. Turning back to his task, he continued, "Sorry it's taking so long. Unbelievable as it sounds, some of these old fashioned locks can be a bit tricky for a sonic screwdriver. oh, oh, here’s a good one. What did the girlfriend say to her boyfriend when they went for a snog behind a tombstone?”

Martha frowned, shaking her head in wonder. "A big ugly ghoul is after us, and you're making jokes?" The Doctor turned and raised an eyebrow. She sighed in resignation. Okay, what did the girl say to her guy when they went to kiss behind the tombstone?” The Doctor grinned, “She said let’s make love in dead earnest….get it?” Martha frowned. “Yeah, ha-ha.” The Doctor pulled a face and went back to work on the lock. “Awww--come on, where’s your sense of humour. I mean, if you can’t have a sense of humour in a cemetery…there! Got it!” The bolt of the lock gave a hollow click and the Doctor carefully opened the door.

He sniffed the air.“Better step back a bit. Just in case there’s any more gas left in there.” Martha raised an eyebrow. “Gas? Natural or poison? And does it have anything to do with that bizarre green cloud I keep seeing?” Looking at her approvingly he, he said, "Very good question, Martha. Very good question, indeed." The Doctor stood to one side and allowed the door to swing wide open. "As a matter of fact, it's poison gas. Methilane, to be precise. Which pins things down a bit for me.” She tried to see inside the chapel’s indistinct interior. “Methilane? What’s that? I’ve never heard of it.”

The Doctor sniffed the air again and turned to her. “You wouldn’t. It’s origin is from a small planet on the far side of the universe, called Draxil. As for the cloud…not sure." Martha frowned. "Not sure? What does that mean?" Without answering, the Doctor stepped inside the doorway, just out of sight, his voice echoing back to her. “Martha, you'd better stay back, just in case.” She looked in his direction worriedly, “Just in case of what?” She was greeted by silence. “Doctor?” No answer. “Doctor? Are you alright?” But no sound came through the open doorway, but the rising wind coming through the broken window, moaning through the rafters.